Collapsible carrying case



March 27, 1962 R. N. BRANDON 3,0

COLLAPSIBLE CARRYING CASE Filed June 10, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I N V ENTOR. 15/67/420 N. BEAM/DON E MM March 27, 1962 R. N. BRANDON COLLAPSIBLECARRYING CASE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 10, 1959 .JIE. 8

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INVENTOR. E/CH/JEQN, em/00M #omv vs This invention relates to animproved collapsible carrycase, and in particular to an improvedcollapsible and reusable carrying case for carrying and/r storing aplurality of articles, such as bottles and the like.

One of the purposes of the present invention is to provide an improvedmetal collapsible carrying case having improved features over theconventional fibrous cartons now used to carry beverage bottles, and thelike. The improved metal carrying case of this invention is relativelyinexpensive to manufacture, easy to assemble, rugged, unaffected byadverse environmental conditions, readily reusable, and pleasing andattractive in design as well as compactly collapsible for transportationor storage and easily adjusted to article carrying position.

One embodiment of a collapsible carrying case formed in accordance withthis invention comprises a metal case having a plurality of parts hingedtogether and movable into a box-like, bottle carrying position andcollapsible into a relatively flat shape permitting the case to becompactly stacked with similar collapsed cases when not in bottlecarrying use.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improvedcollapsible carrying case having one or more of the novel features setforth above or hereinafter shown or described.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the descriptionproceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible carrying case formed inaccordance with the teachings of this invention and adjusted to articlecarrying position.

FIGURE 2 is a top view of the case.

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation of the case.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of one of the sides of the carrying caseillustrated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the bottom panel of the case ofFIGURE 1. I

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the top divider of the case of FIGURE1.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged view of one of the fastening members carried bythe case.

FIGURE 8 is a side view similar to FIGURE 3 and illustrates the mannerof pivoting the sides into the bottom support.

FIGURE 9 is an end View of the carrying case when the sides thereof aredisposed within the bottom support.

FIGURE 10 is a view similar to FIGURE 9 and illustrates the carryingcase in a partially collapsed condition.

FIGURE 11 is an end view of a fully collapsed carrying case.

FIGURE 12 is a perspective view illustrating a plurality of collapsedcarrying cases stacked one on top of the other.

Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings wherein likereference numerals and letters are used throughout the various figuresthereof to designate like parts where appropriate, and particularreference is made to FIGURES 1-3 illustrating a collapsible carryingcase formed in accordance with the teachings of this invention andgenerally indicated by the reference letter A.

In the preferred embodiment of this invention the carrying case A isformed from a relatively light weight metal such as aluminum, aluminumalloys, and the like. Howatent 3,0Z7,Mh Patented Mar. 27, 1962 ever, itis to be understood that other metals and alloys thereof, plasticmaterials, and the like could be utilized as well as variouscombinations of materials. One of the features deemed important to thisinvention is to construct the carrying case from a material or materialsthat render the case sturdy, rugged, long-lasting, and the like wherebythe case is readily reusable over and over again.

The carrying case A includes a substantially U-shaped flat narrow strap20 comprising a handle 21 and a pair of spaced parallel legs 22 and 23respectively depending vertically downwardly from each end of the handle21. The handle 21 is formed with a substantially V-shaped cross-sectionthroughout its entire length in order to facilitate manual grasping ofthe same. In this manner the weight of the case A is borne by thecentral portionof the handle when the case A is manually carried. Thehandle 21 and legs 22 and 23 define a flat zone therebetween, the zonebeing indicated by the reference nu meral 24.

An article receiving bottom or lower support, generally indicated by thereference numeral 25, is pivotally secured to the legs 22 and 23 in thefollowing manner. The lower support 25 comprises a flat narrowcontinuous strap 2s formed into a rectangle having a pair of opposedsides 27 and 28 and another pair of opposed sides 29 and 30, the sides27 and 28 being longer than the sides 29 and 30. The sides 29 and 30 ofthe lower support 25 are respectively pivotally secured to the legs 22and 23 by suitable pivot pins or rivets 31 respectively passing throughsuitable apertures formed in the lower ends of the legs 22 and 23 andthe medial portions of the sides 29 and 30 of the bottom or lowersupport 25.

A flat rectangular bottom or bottom plate 32 (see FIGURES 1 and 5)having vertically extending side flanges 33, 34, 35 and 36 formed at theouter periphery thereof is suitably secured to the inner surface of thelower support 25 whereby the bottom 32 completely spans the lowerportion of the rectangular space defined by the lower support 25. In theembodiment illustrated in the drawings, the bottom 32 is secured to thelower support 25 by the pivot pins 31, the pivot pins 31 respectivelypassing through apertures 37 and 38 formed respectively in the medialportions of the side flanges 33 and 35 thereof. Howevenit is to beunderstood that the bottom 32 could be formed integrally with the lowersupport 25 or formed separately and secured thereto by other means, suchas by welding, bolts, or the like.

The corners of the bottom 32 are respectively cut away at 39 to providesuitable drainage openings for a purpose hereinafter described. However,if desired, the bottom 32 may be perforated throughout part or all ofits surface to accomplish this function. Further, while the innersurface of the bottom 32 is shown as being fluted, the same could besubstantially smooth or provided with any desired surface pattern.

An upper article receiving support, generally indicated by the referencenumeral 40, is formed in substantially the same manner as the lowersupport 25 and is pivotally secured to each of the legs 22 and 23intermediate the handle 21 and the lower support 25. As shown in FIG-URES l and 6, the upper support 40 comprises a continuous flat narrowstrap 41 formed into a rectangle having a pair of relatively longopposed parallel sides 42 and 43 and a pair of relatively short opposedparallel sides 44 and 45. A divider 46 comprising a U-shaped strap 47having legs 48 and 49 interconnected by a section 50 is disposed withinand secured to the upper support 40 in any desired manner. The endsection 50 of the divider 46 is disposed in engagement with the side 43of the support 40 and the legs 48 and 49 thereof respectively extendacross the rectangular space defined by the support 40 to the other side42 thereof whereby inwardly directed flanges 51 and 52 formedrespectively on the outer ends of the legs 48 and 49 engage the side 42of the support 40. An elongated rod 53 extends through suitableapertures formed respectively in the medial portions of the side 44 ofthe support 40, the legs 48 and 49 of the divider 46, and the side 45 ofthe support 40. The rod 53 and divider 46 divide the space defined bythe upper support 40 into six bottle-receiving compartments, thecompartments being indicated by the reference numerals 54.

While the upper support 40 is illustrated as being divided into sixbottle-receiving compartments 54 for the purpose of carrying theconventional quantity of six bottles, such as soft drink bottles or thelike, it is contemplated that the space of the upper support 40 could bedivided into any desired number of compartments or remain undivided asdesired.

The opposed ends 56 and 57 of the rod 53 are utilized to pivotallysecure the upper support 40 to the depending legs 22 and 23 of thehandle 21 by passing respectively through suitable apertures formedtherein and being enlarged to effectively secure the support 40 to thelegs 22 and 23. However, it is to be understood that the upper support40 may be pivotally secured to the legs 22 and 23 in the same manner asthe lower support 25 or by other suitable means as desired.

A pair of substantially identical sides or side plates 58 and 59 arepivotally secured to the lower or bottom support 25 in the followingmanner. Each side 58 or 59 (only side 58 being shown in FIGURE 4)comprises a substantially flat rectangular portion 60 having a pair ofinwardly directed tapering flanges 61 and 62 respectively extending fromopposed outer edges 63 and 64 thereof. Each flange 61 or 62 projectsbeyond a lower edge 65 of the flat portion 60 and terminates in a flatrounded ear or lug 66, each lug 66 having an aperture 67 passingtransversely therethrough. A pair of outwardly directed flanges 68 and69 are formed in the fiat portion 60 of each side 58 or 59 by stampingor the like, the flanges 68 and 69 defining an elongated channel 70therebetween. An inwardly directed tab or flange 71 extends from anupper edge 72 of the flat portion 60.

Each side 58 or 59 has an elongated slot 73 formed in the flat portion60 thereof intermediate the flanges 68 and 69. Each slot 73 comprises anenlarged upper circular portion 74 and a narrow portion 75 extendingdownwardly therefrom.

The sides 58 and 59 are respectively pivotally secured within and to thelower support 25 by a plurality of pivot pins or rivets 76 respectivelypassing through suitable apertures formed in the respective side 27 or28 of the strap 26, apertures 77 formed in the respective side flange 34or 36 of the bottom 32, and the respective aperture 67 in the ear 66 ofthe flange 61 or 62. Each side 58 or 59 is pivotally secured to thelower support 25 in such a manner that the end surfaces 65 and 71thereof are adapted to respectively engage the sides 29 or 30 of thelower support 25 and the sides 44 or 45 of the upper support 40 whenpivoted to the position illustrated in FIG- URES 1-3.

When the sides 58 and 59 are pivoted to the position illustrated inFIGURES 1-3, the legs 22 and 23 of the handle 21 are respectivelyreceived in the channels 70 .of the sides 58 and 59 whereby the uppersupport 40 and lower support 25 are locked or maintained parallel toeach other and perpendicular to the legs 22 and 23.

' An elongated slot 78 is formed in each leg 22 and 23 of the handle 21,each slot 78 being disposed adjacent the slot 73 formed in the respectivside 58 or 59 of the carrying case A when the respective side 58 or 59is pivoted to the position illustrated in FIGURES 1-3. A fasteningmember 79 (see FIGURE 7) comprising a cylindrical pin 80 having a pairof enlarged flat circular disklike members 81 and 82. formed on each endthereof is carried in each slot 79 of the legs 22 and 23 of the bandle21. The pins 80 pass through the slot 78 and the enlarged members 81 and82 are disposed on the opposite sides of the respective leg 22 or 23. Inthis manner the fastening members 79 are adapted to be moved upwardly ordownwardly in the slots 78 as well as transversely thereto within thelimits of the length of the pins 80 thereof.

The operation of the carrying case A will now be described. When it isdesired to adjust the carrying case A to the box-like, bottle carryingposition, the supports 25 and 40 are pivoted to the position illustratedin FIG- URES 1-3 whereby the supports 25 and 40 are disposedperpendicular to the legs 22 and 23 of the handle 21. The sides 58 and59 are then respectively pivoted against the legs 22 and 23 whereby theend surfaces 65 and 71 thereof respectively engage the supports 25 and40 and thus lock the supports 25 and 40 parallel to each other. Further,the flanges 68 and 69 of each side 58 and 59 respectively engage theopposed sides of the respective leg 22 or 23 and thereby lock therespective side 58 or 59 to the respective leg 22 or 23 whereby thesupports 25 and 40 are locked perpendicular to the legs 22 and 23.

The fastening members 79 form locking and detaching means between thesides 58, 59 and the legs 22, 23. When the sides 58 and 59 are in theraised position against the legs 22 and 23, the fastening members 79 aremoved upwardly in the slots 78 whereby the disk-like members 82 aredisposed adjacent the enlarged circular portions 74 of the respectiveslots 73 formed in the respective side 58 or 59. The fastening membersare then moved axially inwardly whereby the disk-like members 82 areprojected through the circular portions 74 of the slots 73 and thenmoved downwardly in the slots 78 and 73 whereby the pins 80 are receivedin the narrow portions of the slots 73. In this manner the fasteningmembers 79 secure the sides 58 and 59 to the legs 22 and 23. The sides58 and 59 are released by reversed operation of the'above.

After the carrying case A has been adjusted to the article carryingposition in the above manner, a plurality of bottles, generallyindicated by the reference letter B, are inserted in the case A throughthe compartments 54 provided in the upper support 40 whereby the bottlesB can be readily carried by lifting the handle 21 of the case A.

When it is desired to collapse the carrying case A after the same hasbeen emptied of its contents, the fastening members 79 are raisedupwardly in the slots 78 and 73 whereby the disk-like members 82 can bewithdrawn from the enlarged circular portions 74 of slots 73. After thefastening members 79 have been detached from the sides 58 and 59, thesides 58 and 59 are pivoted downwardly into the bottom support 25 in themanner illustrated in FIGURE 8.

Since the embodiment of this invention illustrated in the drawings isparticularly adapted for carrying six bottles of the conventional six orseven ounce type, the design characteristics of the carrying case Arequire that one or the other of the sides 58 or 59 overlap the otherwhen the sides 58 and 59 are received in the bottom support 25. However,it is to be understood that the particular number, size and/or type ofbottles to be carried may require changes in the particular dimensionsof the case A whereby the sides 58 and 59 may or may not overlap asshown.

After the sides 58 and 59 have been pivoted against the bottom 32, asshown in FIGURE 9, the carrying case A can be collapsed by merelypushing the handle 21 and legs 22 and 23 thereof in one direction or theother as illustrated in FIGURES 10 and 11 whereby the supports 25 and 40are, in effect, pivoted into the flat zone '24 defined by the handlee 21and the legs 22 and 23. In this :manner the carrying case A has beencollapsed to form a relatively fiat structure that requires a relativelysmall amount of shipping or storage space.

As shown in FIGURES 11 and 12, the supports 25 and 40 are disposedwithin the same plane in the flat zone 24 and are disposed closelyadjacent each other. However, the supports 25 and 40 are spacedsufficiently from each other when in the fully collapsed positionwhereby pivotal movement thereof to the fully collapsed position is notimpeded by the fastening members 79.

When the carrying case A has been collapsed in the above manner, theflat collapsed case A is readily adapted to be stacked with othercollapsed cases A as illustrated in FIGURE 12 whereby the collapsedcases A can be stored or shipped.

Therefore, it can be seen that an improved collapsible carrying case hasbeen provided having many improved features over prior known collapsiblecases and cartons. Some of the improved features of the carrying case ofthis invention are that the case is relatively inexpensive and easy tomanufacture, rugged, sturdy, long-lasting, readily reusable, easy toadjust to article carrying position or collapse, attractive in designand appearance, and the like.

While the embodiment and form of the invention now preferred has beendisclosed in accordance with the requirements of the statute, otherforms may be used, all coming within the scope of the claims whichfollow.

What is claimed is:

1. A collapsible carrying case comprising a handle having a pair ofspaced depending legs, a lower article receiving support pivotallysecured to each of said legs and being spaced from said handle, an upperarticle receiving support pivotally secured to each of said legsintermediate said handle and said lower support, and a side detachablysecured to one of said legs, said side having means for maintaining saidsupports in a predetermined position relative to said legs and to eachother when said side is secured to said one leg whereby said case isadjusted to article carrying position.

2. A collapsible carrying case comprising a handle having a pair ofspaced depending legs, a lower article receiv ing support pivotallysecured to each of said legs and being spaced from said handle, an upperarticle receiving support pivotally secured to each of said legsintermediate said lower support and said handle, and a pair of sidesrespectively pivotally secured to opposed ends of said lower support andbeing respectively detachably secured to said legs, said sides havingmeans for maintaining said supports in a predetermined position relativeto said legs and to each other when said sides are secured to said legswhereby said case is adjusted to article carrying position.

3. A carrying case as set forth in claim 2 wherein said upper supportdivides said case into a plurality of bottle receiving compartments.

4. A carrying case as set forth in claim 2 wherein said lower supportincludes a bottom spanning said case, said bottom having at least onedrainage opening provided therein.

5. A carrying case as set forth in claim 2 wherein each of said sideshas a pair of spaced outwardly directed flanges, each said pair offlanges receiving a leg therebetween when the respective side is securedto that leg whereby said legs are maintained in a predetermined positionrelative to said sides.

6. A carrying case as set forth in claim 2 wherein each of said sideshas a pair of opposed end surfaces, said end surfaces respectivelyengaging said supports when said sides are respectively secured to saidlegs whereby said supports are maintained in a predetermined positionrelative to said legs and to each other.

7. A collapsible carrying case comprising a handle having a pair ofspaced depending legs, said handle and said legs defining a flat zone, alower article receiving support pivotally secured to each of said legsand being spaced from said handle, an upper article receiving supportpivotally secured to each of said legs intermediate said handle and saidlower support, and a side pivotally secured to one of said supports andbeing detachably secured to one of said legs, said side having means formaintaining said supports transverse to said zone when said side issecured to said one leg whereby said case is adjusted to articlecarrying position, said side being pivotally movable into said onesupport when said side is detached from said one leg and said supportsbeing pivotally movable into said zone whereby said case is compactlycollapsed.

8. A collapsible carrying case comprising a handle having a pair ofspaced depending legs, said handle and said legs defining a flat zone, abottom article receiving support pivotally secured to each of said legsand being spaced from said handle, an upper article receiving supportpivotally secured to each of said legs intermediate said handle and saidlower support, and a pair of sides respectively pivotally secured toopposed ends of said bottom support and being respectively detachablysecured to said legs, said sides having means for maintaining saidsupports transverse to said zone when said sides are secured to saidlegs whereby said case is adjusted to article carrying position, saidsides being pivotally movable into said bottom support when said sidesare detached from said legs and said supports being pivotally movableinto said zone whereby said case is compactly collapsed.

9. A collapsible carrying case as set forth in claim 8 wherein saidupper support has a plurality of dividers spanning said upper supportand dividing said case into a plurality of bottle receivingcompartments.

10. A collapsible carrying case as set forth in claim 8 wherein saidbottom support and said upper support are disposed adjacent to eachother and in the same plane when pivoted into said zone.

11. A collapsible carrying case as set forth in claim 8 wherein amovable fastening pin having a narrow body and an enlarged end iscarried by eachleg, and each side has an elongated slot providedtherein, each slot having an enlarged portion for telescopicallyreceiving said enlarged end of the respective fastening pin and a narrowportion for receiving said body of said pin after the enlarged endtherof has been received in said slot gar/hereby the respective side issecured to the respective 12. A collapsible carrying case as set forthin claim 8 wherein said supports each comprises a continuous memberdefining a rectangular space, a plurality of dividers carried by saidupper support and dividing said space thereof into a plurality of bottlereceiving compartments, and a bottom carried by said bottom support andspanning said space thereof, said bottom cooperating with said bottomsupport to define an area for receiving said sides when said case iscollapsed whereby said sides are disposed within said zone.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,530,256 Garland Mar. 17, 1925 1,949,207 Kinkead Feb. 24, 19342,395,601 Wenthe Feb. 26, 1946 2,414,708 Bassichis Jan. 21, 19472,443,985 Lamprecht June 22, 1948 2,550,830 Lewis May 1, 1951 2,784,870Jones Mar. 12, 1957

